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Hey Mister, how did this town get such a funny name?
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From New Mexico Place Names: A Geographical Dictionary by T. M. Pearce (1965):
The grandson of a baker still lives in this community and he reports that his grandfather specialized in pie-making and advertised his profession with a big sign on the highway at this point. His fame spread among road workers and travelers, resulting in the name which now marks the settlement on all maps.
Two or three pie-selling establishments are presently open; I had a slice at the Pie-O-Neer Cafe.
Directions: Highway 60 between Quemado and Datil.
Last Visited: April 2010.
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Why was Why called Why? Because it was located where Highways 85 and 86 met at a "Y" intersection. But Arizona law required town names to have at least three letters, so the word was spelled out. Now there is no "Y" in Why; the intersection has been re-aligned to make it a safer "T" junction -- but the town name has not been changed to Tee.
Directions: On Highway 85 southeast of Ajo.
Last Visited: November 2008.
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Nothing was never an official town, more of a settlement whose population peaked at 4 and consisted mostly of a gas station and store. The origins of the name are sketchy; supposedly a sign at the site once said the inhabitants "had faith in Nothing, hoped for Nothing, worked at Nothing, for Nothing."
To see more photos of some things that are now at Nothing, go to my Nothing, Arizona web page.
Directions: Between Wickenburg and Kingman, on the east side of Highway 93 between mile markers 148 and 149.
Last Visited: July 2009.